High-Rise Evacuation Time Estimator Calculator

Estimate high-rise building evacuation time based on stairwell capacity, occupant load, and building height per IBC/NFPA 101

Input Parameters

Results

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Total Evacuation Time
min
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Stair Flow Rate
persons/min
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Last Floor Clearance Time
min
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Phased Evacuation Note
Note: Evacuation time estimate per SFPE Handbook methodology. Actual times vary with occupant demographics, pre-movement behavior, and stair congestion. IBC 403.5.1 requires fire command center for high-rise buildings. Consider elevator evacuation per IBC 403.6.2 and phased evacuation.

Reference

SFPE Handbook stair flow: ~18.5 persons/min/ft (free flow), ~15 persons/min/ft (crowded) Effective stair width = Clear width - 12 in (boundary layers) Stair descent speed: ~1.0 ft/s Pre-movement time: 3-6 min typical (office) IBC 403: High-rise = occupied floor >75 ft above lowest fire dept access Evac time = Pre-move + max(travel time, flow time)